Cairn Subscription Boxes Surprise Outdoor Lovers

Consumer gift boxes delivered to your doorstep are all the rage. You probably use or have gifted others with subscriptions to StitchFix (women’s clothing), BeSpoke (men’s upscale) or even BarkBox (for dog lovers).

Now outdoor lovers have the same convenient option, ideally suited for those who like to try new products and be exposed to new brands without having to spend time in the car. Cairn is apparently the first of its kind in outdoor subscription boxes, having shipped its 10,000th box in March 2015, and using the delivery method not only for small-batch product, but helping enable outdoor discovery, community, giving-back, and exploration.

For example, the company has partnered with DrinkFearlessly.com to provide clean water to Congolese refugees living in Gihembe, which has only one well for 15,000 residents. For every six SolarBags purchased (one of about 100 vendors Cairn rotates products from), using a Cairn discount code, a SolarBag water purifier will be donated to a refugee in Gihembe.

Cairn’s goal is to find upcoming brands, including camping gear, apparel, food, and more, and help promote products and endeavors to drive innovation and creative thinking in the outdoor industry. Contemporary, technology-enabled shoppers looking for engagement and experiential interaction with brands and community may find this a great solution.

Subscriptions are $25 per month and include an online profile, points’ accumulation, and the monthly delivery of thoughtfully selected products and promotions.

The Bend, OR-based company was the recipient of incubator funds in the inaugural class of the Bend Outdoor Worx in 2013. Also noteworthy, Cairn is utilizing Abilitree – a Central Oregon-based non-profit that empowers people with disabilities with jobs, training, and independent living opportunities — to help pack the boxes each month.

The company is led by Oregon native Rob Little, an industry veteran (ExOfficio, Nike, Merrell) Bill Inman recently joined the team. And while the initial growth was slow and organic, things are starting to heat up. This new concept in shopping combines data collection and home product delivery in one of the most interesting retail trends right now.